2025 Audi Q5 assessment | CarExpert

A mid-spec, black on black Audi Q5 is likely one of the most understated premium SUVs you should buy proper now.

The second-generation Q5 was revealed again in 2016, and eight years on renewed rivals just like the BMW X3 and Mercedes-Benz GLC make it a reminder of what mid-sized luxurious SUVs was once.

Beneath the bonnet of this 45 TFSI Sport sits a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine with none type of electrical help. The cabin centres round a pair of modestly-sized screens. All very acquainted, then.

That’s all about to alter. When Audi brings the subsequent technology of Q5 to Australia late subsequent yr, it’ll function “modern lighting” in addition to the newest infotainment tech from the Q6 e-tron.

WATCH: Paul’s video assessment of the 2022 Audi Q5 Sportback 45 TFSI

Audi additionally expects to deliver its new mild-hybrid plus engines for the subsequent technology of what was as soon as Australia’s top-selling medium luxurious SUV.

It leaves potential patrons with a little bit of a dilemma – wait after which embrace change and the related teething points that will include it, or snap up a present Q5 now and revel in its acquainted simplicity?

How does the Audi Q5 evaluate?

View an in depth breakdown of the Audi Q5 in opposition to equally sized automobiles.

Audi

Q5

How a lot does the Audi Q5 price?

On take a look at right here is the most cost effective petrol-powered variant within the present Q5 lineup.

To see how the Audi Q5 stacks up in opposition to its rivals, use our comparability software

What’s the Audi Q5 like on the within?

What the inside of the Q5 45 TFSI Sport lacks in showroom enchantment, it makes up for with utilitarian user-friendliness.

As a substitute of vibrant ambient lighting and a sea of multimedia screens, you’re greeted by a standard dashboard structure trimmed in fifty shades of black. It’s not as claustrophobic as you would possibly count on although, because the Sport trim brings a panoramic sunroof.

Textured silver trims scattered all through the cabin come the closest to what I’d name design aptitude.

Wow issue could also be absent, however there’s no mistaking that the Q5 is a high-end product.

Mushy-touch finishes adorn the doorways and sprint, whereas the steering wheel, gear selector and centre console are all trimmed in easy, supple leather-based – the actual stuff, smells and all.

Audi’s purposeful method extends to the seats, which accommodate all physique varieties in supreme consolation. The textured leather-clad pews are absolutely power-adjustable with supportive facet bolstering and an extendable thigh cushion.

The bottom cushion is fairly comfortable too, and three-stage heating is offered for chilly winter mornings.

Forward of the motive force sits a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, which is analogous in design to the models present in vehicles proper throughout the Volkswagen Audi group portfolio.

It’s not fairly leading edge however the show homes loads of data, all offered in straightforward to interpret methods.

To the left sits a ten.1-inch infotainment touchscreen that includes satellite tv for pc navigation, DAB+ digital radio and wi-fi smartphone mirroring.

Regardless of the inclusion of the aforementioned mod cons, the infotainment display screen dates the Q5 in comparison with its rivals. Plonked upon the highest of the sprint, the system is obvious in design with old-school decrease case fonts and an uninspiring color scheme.

Whereas it leaves a bit to be desired from a type standpoint, performance is much less of a problem. Audi has opted for the favored software grid structure – acquainted to smartphone customers and house owners of vehicles from rival manufacturers alike.

It’s practically inconceivable to change into misplaced in a maze of menus, as shortcut icons for dwelling, navigation, cellphone and media are completely located to the appropriate of the display screen, even when utilizing Apple CarPlay.

CarPlay itself shows with crisp graphics, and we by no means had any wi-fi connection points. Contact inputs have been likewise met with constant, optimistic responses from the system.

In Sport trim, the Q5 comes with a robust, crystal clear 10-speaker sound system – excellent for lengthy street journeys.

Different essential capabilities (local weather management, drive modes and audio controls) are unfold throughout bodily buttons and dials on the centre stack – one other instance of the Q5’s user-friendly nature.

That stated, it might be just a little extra sensible from a cabin storage perspective.

Other than deep, huge door bins, there’s not a lot to work with. The centre console is shallow, as is the cubby beneath the centre stack. You received’t discover a sun shades holder, both.

Digital gadgets comparable to telephones may be saved within the centre console, which homes a USB-C outlet and a slidable wi-fi charging pad. A USB-A outlet and 12V socket are positioned beneath the centre stack.

In some methods, rear seat passengers are literally higher off. There’s sufficient headroom and legroom again there for adults as much as round 6’3″, and the seats themselves are snug with loads of cushioning and even some facet bolstering.

Massive home windows and a panoramic sunroof make it an inviting house, too. A protruding transmission tunnel eats into center seat legroom, however you may depend on the second row to swallow a pair of adults or three children with few complaints.

Facilities include a centre armrest with fold-out cupholders, two USB-C shops, a 12V socket, twin air vents with fan and temperature adjustment, storage nets and huge door bins. In different phrases, it’s beautiful again there.

All three rear seats are outfitted with top-tether youngster seat anchor factors for the little ones.

Within the occasion that you just want further cargo room as an alternative of further seating, the rear bench folds fully flat in 60/40 vogue, upping capability from 520L to 1520L.

Boot entry from the rear of the automotive is easy – a hands-free powered tailgate makes the usual tools record for the Q5.

The tailgate opens good and excessive, revealing a big, sq. boot aperture devoid of an annoying load lip. Either side of the boot contains a web to safe smaller gadgets, whereas a space-saver spare wheel may be discovered beneath the boot flooring.

To see how the Audi Q5 stacks up in opposition to its rivals, use our comparability software

What’s beneath the bonnet?

The Q5 45 TFSI makes use of the venerable EA888 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine as a base, which is augmented with a 12V mild-hybrid system.

To see how the Audi Q5 stacks up in opposition to its rivals, use our comparability software

How does the Audi Q5 drive?

All it takes is a brief drive within the Q5 for all of your worldly worries to easily evaporate.

From an NVH (noise, vibration, and harshness) perspective, the turbo-petrol instance on take a look at right here is greater than able to holding its personal in opposition to any premium SUV, from silent EVs to inside combustion luxurious leaders.

The cabin of the Q5 is whisper quiet – wind and street noise are nearly eradicated by glorious insulation, and the acquainted EA888 engine not often disturbs the peace.

With origins courting again to the 2000s, this 2.0-litre turbo 4 has constantly developed to the purpose the place it’s able to sturdy efficiency whereas remaining easy, linear, and quiet.

Identified finest for its exploits in Volkswagen sizzling hatches, the EA888 produces 183kW of energy and 370Nm of torque on this software. Peak torque is on faucet over 1600-4300rpm, so a major chunk of the rev vary.

Consequently, the Q5 45 TFSI affords robust acceleration throughout a variety of conditions, particularly with the help of all-wheel drive. Audi quotes a 0-100km/h dash time of 6.2 seconds, making it swifter than the Lexus RX350h and Vary Rover Evoque P250, and on par with the Mercedes-Benz GLC300.

Subsequently, the Q5 doesn’t really feel like a cumbersome SUV round city. Reasonably, it’s comparatively dynamic and has gentle but correct steering, and a nimbleness that belies its measurement.

It feels such as you sit proper over the entrance of the automotive, with a large view of the street forward and a transparent understanding of the place every nook of the automobile is. That makes the Q5 an approachable SUV to drive, and nice for pressured dad and mom coping with screaming children within the again.

Now in its seventh yr of manufacturing, the second-generation Q5 additionally boasts easy driving controls. You get two pedals, a steering wheel and a few stalks – no spaceage gear selectors or digital mirrors in sight right here.

Whereas the age of the Q5 dates it in some regards, it additionally flattens the educational curve for patrons coming from vehicles constructed within the 2010s or earlier.

That’s to not say that this Q5 is devoid of driver help expertise. Metropolis slickers like myself are certain to understand the usual fitment of auto-hold, idle cease/begin, and park help.

A excessive decision surround-view digital camera and each entrance and rear parking sensors turn out to be useful too, though the Q5 by no means looks like a handful in tight buying centre carparks. Each the entrance and rear of the automobile really feel straightforward to put, particularly when making sharp turns.

However this model of the Q5 isn’t essentially the most environment friendly SUV going round. It’ll eat a quoted 8.0L/100km on common, though we noticed 9.0L/100km over the course of per week.

Whereas the Mercedes-Benz GLC300 and Vary Rover Evoque P250 are comparable on this regard, hybrid choices such because the Lexus RX350h (5.4L/100km) are significantly extra environment friendly.

Out of city, the Q5 retains its quiet and composed character. Even at freeway speeds, exterior noise is stored to a minimal, and the powertrain is more than pleased cruising at 100km/h.

All Q5 variants are outfitted with adaptive cruise management as commonplace, operated by way of a small stalk protruding from the decrease left facet of the steering column.

The controls are just a little extra fiddly to make use of than buttons on the steering wheel, and we discovered Audi’s system to be a bit behind the curve. When energetic, adaptive cruise struggled to keep up a constant velocity, dipping 5-10km/h beneath the set velocity on a number of events.

It will also be sluggish to react to modifications within the circulation of site visitors, prompting driver intervention. For those who permit the Q5 to drive itself too near surrounding vehicles, Audi’s pre-sense collision warning system shows an eye catching visible warning, which fortunately isn’t accompanied by the overly delicate alarms which might be pervading new vehicles.

Certainly, not one of the superior driver help methods (ADAS) are overly intrusive within the Q5.

Consistent with its cosseting persona, the Q5 is underpinned by an achieved suspension setup that smooths out coarse nation roads effortlessly. Notably nasty bumps and potholes sometimes make themselves recognized within the cabin, however trip consolation is rarely some extent of concern.

A trio of drive modes help you tailor the driving expertise, whether or not you’re tackling the town commute or touring cross-country. Eco and Consolation are finest suited to maximising effectivity and smoothness, whereas Dynamic is there if you would like sharper throttle and transmission mapping for some enjoyable on a twisty street.

To see how the Audi Q5 stacks up in opposition to its rivals, use our comparability software

What do you get?

On take a look at right here is the Q5 45 TFSI Sport quattro.

Audi Q5 tools highlights:

• 19-inch alloy wheels
• 235/55 tyres
• Hill descent management
• LED headlights and daytime working lights
• Keyless entry and begin
• Arms-free energy tailgate
• Heated exterior mirrors
• Tri-zone local weather management
• Auto-dimming rear-view mirror
• Aluminium door sill plates
• Ground mats entrance, rear
• Ambient lighting
• 12.3-inch digital cockpit plus digital instrument cluster
• 10.1-inch MMI touchscreen infotainment system
  • Satellite tv for pc navigation
  • Voice management
  • DAB+ radio
  • Wi-fi Apple CarPlay, Android Auto
• 8-speaker sound system, 100W output
• Wi-fi cellphone charger
• Audi join plus Navigation & Infotainment*
  • On-line site visitors data
  • Vacation spot entry by way of myAudi, Google Maps
  • Parking data
  • Climate
  • Gas costs
  • Google Companies
• Audi join plus Safety & Help*
  • Automobile finder incl. distant sign
  • Distant lock, unlock
  • Emergency name
  • On-line roadside help
• Electrical entrance seats with four-way lumbar
• Leather-based-appointed upholstery

*Audi join plus service subscription legitimate for as much as three years after supply

Q5 Sport provides:

• 20-inch alloy wheels
• Exterior mirrors with heating, folding, auto dimming, dipping
• Panoramic sunroof
• 10-speaker 180W sound system
• Driver seat reminiscence
• Heated entrance seats
• Sport entrance seats
• Semi-automatic parking help

Is the Audi Q5 protected?

The Audi Q5 and SQ5 are at the moment unrated by ANCAP, after the five-star scores for the pre-update fashions expired on January 1.

Customary security options embody:

• 8 airbags
  • Twin entrance
  • Twin front-side
  • Twin curtain
  • Twin rear-side
• Lively bonnet
• Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
  • as much as 85km/h
  • Pedestrian detection
• Blind-spot monitoring (facet help)
• Collision avoidance help
• Exit warning
• Computerized high-beam
• Hill descent management
• Lane-keep help
• Rear cross-traffic help
• Tyre strain monitoring
• Flip Help
• Swerve Help
• Predictive Effectivity Assistant
• Driver consideration monitoring
• Reversing digital camera

Q5 Sport provides:

• Park help
• 360-degree cameras

How a lot does the Audi Q5 price to run?

The Audi Q5 is roofed by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee.

CarExpert’s Tackle the Audi Q5

The Audi Q5 in 45 TFSI Sport proves that an SUV doesn’t must be glitzy to be premium.

It’s quiet, snug and effectively outfitted, without having an ultra-complex powertrain or supersized inside screens.

The Q5 is really one of the crucial soothing vehicles I’ve pushed, because of top-notch sound insulation and a low-effort driving expertise.

Nonetheless, patrons out there for a $90,000 SUV count on just a little greater than that. And this mid-spec Q5 isn’t significantly environment friendly, neither is it particularly low cost to run.

Then there’s the elephant within the room. The third-generation Q5 will hit Australian roads inside 12 months, and it’ll transfer the sport on significantly with enhanced appears, an overhauled cabin, recent tech, and a choice of mild-hybrid engines.

We’d be hesitant to sink practically six figures into an already getting older mannequin that’s quickly to get replaced, particularly when there are such a lot of worthy alternate options.

The Genesis GV70 is each bit as luxurious because the Audi, and feels much more fashionable. The identical may be stated of the brand new BMW X3.

Each are in the identical value bracket, and put on badges that command respect. With that in thoughts, until you worth simplicity and familiarity over all else in your mid-sized luxurious SUV, it could be price holding out till the all-new one comes round.

All in favour of shopping for an Audi Q5? Get in contact with considered one of CarExpert’s trusted sellers right here

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